Chris Petersen: Physical parts of QB position are 'completely overrated'

Ideal size, massive arm strength, speed, and ability to make defenders miss in the open field are all components most coaches prioritize in a quarterback prospect.

Don't count Chris Petersen as one of those coaches.

The Washington frontman is renowned for his high-powered offenses that have lit up scoreboards during his current gig and a previous stop at Boise State. His quarterbacks have always produced gaudy numbers, despite him viewing the position differently than most.

"I think the physical parts of the quarterback position are completely overrated," Petersen said Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Days, via ASAP Sports. "I think height, and arm strength and all that, foot speed. I think it's overrated. It's important, but it's overrated. That's what everybody gets so excited about. The best of the best, they're accurate throwers, great decision-makers, and awesome in the pocket in tight spaces."

Petersen's starting quarterback, Jake Browning, came to Washington as the fifth-ranked pocket passer in the class of 2015, but is certainly undersized at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. Some scouts don't view Browning as a high-level NFL prospect due to his lack of arm strength, but he's produced impressive numbers in Petersen's system.

The California native threw for 3,430 yards and a whopping 43 touchdowns in his sophomore campaign, while only turning the ball over on interceptions nine times.

Considering his 119-26 record across 11 seasons as a head coach, perhaps more bench bosses would be wise to take Petersen's approach toward recruiting quarterbacks.